incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˌ)in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt 
1
a
: lacking the qualities needed for effective action
b
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
2
: not legally qualified
3
: inadequate to or unsuitable for a particular purpose
incompetent
noun
incompetently
adverb
Examples of incompetent in a Sentence
He is too incompetent to be trusted with such an important responsibility.
The patient is mentally incompetent.
The defendant was declared incompetent to stand trial.
Recent Examples on the Web
The case stalled for years, in part due to concerns that Saleh was mentally incompetent to stand trial, court records show.
—
Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
The man accused of stalking Jennifer Aniston and crashing his car through her front gate was ruled incompetent for trial on Thursday but demanded a second opinion.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The City Council and mayor have shown themselves incompetent in their ability to correctly allocate tax dollars to move the city forward.
—Ted Levis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Bruce Springsteen called the Trump administration 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.'
Bruce Springsteen didn't back down.
—Chris Jordan, USA Today, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
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Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 24 May 2025
The man accused of stalking Jennifer Aniston and crashing his car through her front gate was ruled incompetent for trial on Thursday but demanded a second opinion.
—Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 22 May 2025
The City Council and mayor have shown themselves incompetent in their ability to correctly allocate tax dollars to move the city forward.
—Ted Levis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 May 2025
Bruce Springsteen called the Trump administration 'corrupt, incompetent and treasonous.'
Bruce Springsteen didn't back down.
—Chris Jordan, USA Today, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for incompetent
Cite this Entry
“Incompetent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incompetent. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
incompetent
adjective
in·com·pe·tent
(ˈ)in-ˈkäm-pət-ənt
1
: not legally qualified
especially
: incapable due to a mental or physical condition
2
: unable to function properly
incompetent heart valves
incompetently
adverb
Legal Definition
incompetent
1 of 2 adjective
in·com·pe·tent
in-ˈkäm-pə-tənt
1
: not legally qualified: as
a
: lacking legal capacity (as because of age or mental deficiency)
b
: incapable due to mental or physical condition compare competent
c
: lacking authority, power, or qualifications required by law
an incompetent court
incompetent evidence
2
: unable or failing to perform adequately
fired for being incompetent
an incompetent attorney
compare ineffective assistance of counsel
incompetent
2 of 2 noun
: a person who is incompetent compare interdict
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